Thank you for this, its nice to know that there's more than onne way to detangle/dematting. This past week has been my first in an intensive practical dog grooming course, where we mostly work with toy poodles. I REALLY struggle when it comes to dematting, among other things. The problem comes when such a small poodle twists and turns as if its life depends on it, (the blow dryer is the major trigger of most dogs) and in the grooming salon where I’m learning, they don’t use harnesses on the table-the dogs have to stay loose. It’s an expensive grooming salon that places a lot of importance on the cut and doing a good job, but it seems too risky to have a dog that struggles so much and wants to jump off the table. I try to stay calm and hold them gently but firmly (finding the balance is very difficult, and I hate holding dogs tightly, especially when they’re small), but it was impossible, especially since I had to work on the poodle’s coat with the blow dryer on my shoulder, a slicker brush in one hand, and holding the dog with the other. And working on the face is just impossible. I had to take a moment to cry. Another problem is when you’ve already straightened the poodle’s hair, and you try to pass the metal comb through to detangle it. When it doesn’t go through easily, (even with dematterrs, and matt breakers) I find it hard to gauge the right amount of force needed to detangle since it’s impossible not to tug, and almost all the poodles end up snapping, sometimes biting, or screaming due to the discomfort or pain. I know they can be very dramatic, but I also know the comb can hurt when it pulls (I would scream too, lol). Additionally, in this grooming salon, they have a hectic pace and work with a considerable number of dogs, so you have to be fast, efficient, and do it right, without a single knot. Every time a dog screams or snaps, it’s like a jumpscare for me; I reflexively pull my hands away, and my heart races. It’s my third day, and that’s normal, but I feel the pressure to get used to it as soon as possible. I know the key is to stay calm since dogs are extremely sensitive to our emotions, but I can’t seem to do it. Any advice?
Hi Isabele, I am so sorry that you are experiencing such stress while grooming! After reading your comment, I want you to know that what is happening is not your fault in any way - you've got a few key elements that are stacked against your success. 1) Not using grooming loops is very difficult and unsafe. Most dogs understand that when looped on a table, it's grooming time and they behave better. Your salon may be marketing no loops as some kind of optics to look safer or more humane, but the reality is that it makes everything less safe. Just a suggestion, they don't need to loop around the neck, they can use a loop under one armpit across the chest to at least have this very critical grooming tool. I know you may not have any control over this, but I want you to rest assured that you've been given a tougher job than it should be. 2) Dogs typically do not snap at the groomer as much as you're describing, so they are definitely telling you that something is not right. As you progress in grooming, you'll be able to assess which mats can be "crunched" loose with your thinners, which ones can be shaved out without affecting their look, and which ones can be de-matted or brushed out by holding the root of the hair and picking through the mats without the dogs feeling it. I'm hoping that you have a senior groomer or instructor there for guidance, and what I would suggest is next time you are prepping a Poodle and are blow drying it, call your instructor over, show them the matting using the blow dryer, and then ask them for guidance on the best way to tackle each section. (Side note, we're releasing a video tomorrow with a review of a new de-matting tool which you may find helpful - keep an eye out!) 3) Does your salon not provide stand dryers? You should be able to de-mat while drying sections with your hands free. Sure, the hose comes into play for the overall drying process, but I always sit down for de-matting and use my stand dryer, moving it from section to section as I work. This is a pretty standard operating procedure, so I would bring it up to your manager or teacher. If they don't have stand dryers, you can look at a bendable grooming arm with a hose clamp. This is the one I have: amzn.to/3XoDaGa 4) Speed in grooming is something that groomers learn through time. It's like learning to play an instrument - sure, you can find little shortcuts along the way, but nothing replaces the motor memory that you develop after grooming for years. And don't let anyone make you feel bad for not being fast enough! That will come in time. Most of my students have started with 2 dogs per day, and then have worked up to 4 dogs usually by the end of the first year, and then they all have developed differently, with some staying at 4 and others moving to 8-10/day. You should be allowed to move at your own pace and develop your skills without stress. I hope that helps explain why you may be struggling so much! Fortunately, all of these issues can be fixed rather easily, but you're dealing with what sounds like a rather unique and difficult set up that you may not have any control over. But please stay positive - we need wonderful people like you in this industry! Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing your story! 😊
Thank u so much, and glad the video helped! And although I do feature Cotons on the channel often, little Romeo is a white/cream Havanese - but super close! 😊 Thanks so much for your comment! 🐾
Glad i found this video. My yorkie/maltese has some serious matting. I was told by the groomer to comb his hair everyday. But sometimes i dont have time to comb my own hair 😂 he is rubbed constantly creating more tangles. 😢 I definitely need to work on getting those matts out so i can take him to get a haircut and keep it short.
Hi, aw, what a cute mix, your pup must be adorable! But yes, you've got some work on your hands, as you clearly know! If the tangles and matting are too much, your groomer can take him down shorter than you would probably like temporarily (read: shave), but then his hair will grow into a short puppy style that will be easier on all of you to maintain. Good luck; thanks so much for your comment! 😍
Hi there, thanks so much for pointing that out, I will add the link to the video! The brush is called the Miracle Coat, and it's been one of my favorites for a very long time (and it's not expensive!): amzn.to/4ePW3r8. Hope that helps and thanks for your comment! 🙏😊
I use Chris Christensen slicker brush for Matted dogs, it’s AMAZING! but I’m looking for a good wet brush for when I’m bathing dogs and I’ve coated the dogs with conditioner.
Looks like you bathed this dog prior to dematting or did you just spray with a Detangler prior to a bath? I was under the impression you have to brush out /take care of matts prior to bathing. I have heard of owners not using a slicker brush and then comb through when brushing their pet at home - having matts build up under the top layer, taking their pet to the groomer only to be told it has to be shaved because the matts are so bad. The owners of this dog are blessed to have a groomer (you) who will go through this effort. Do you recommend Detangler spraying the coat prior to brushing a curly coated dog e.g. poodle? Thank you for posting this video.
Hi Susan, thanks for your great comment! Most definitely if a dog has matting to the skin (let's call that level 8-10 on a matting scale of 1-10), then yes, you definitely don't want to get the matting wet and at this point you may have to shave. Romeo, our model, has wispy Havanese coat and his mats were farther from the skin, let's say level 5 matting on maybe 10% of his body, which I actually only saw the extent of the matting while drying him (he's a regular, and is rarely matted). Ideally, you want to brush matting out before the bath with conditioning spray, but I have found that some types of coats (Terriers in particular) do better with dematting while damp + conditioning spray. So it really depends! But I always brush Poodles before the bath unless they are short. And I use conditioning spray (I like THE Stuff and Crowne Royale) for this pre-brushing. But if you can't see down to the skin on parts of the body, and a brush/comb/dematter is pulling too much, then shave it is! Thank you so much for watching and for your wonderful question! 😊🐶
Thank you for this, its nice to know that there's more than onne way to detangle/dematting. This past week has been my first in an intensive practical dog grooming course, where we mostly work with toy poodles. I REALLY struggle when it comes to dematting, among other things. The problem comes when such a small poodle twists and turns as if its life depends on it, (the blow dryer is the major trigger of most dogs) and in the grooming salon where I’m learning, they don’t use harnesses on the table-the dogs have to stay loose. It’s an expensive grooming salon that places a lot of importance on the cut and doing a good job, but it seems too risky to have a dog that struggles so much and wants to jump off the table. I try to stay calm and hold them gently but firmly (finding the balance is very difficult, and I hate holding dogs tightly, especially when they’re small), but it was impossible, especially since I had to work on the poodle’s coat with the blow dryer on my shoulder, a slicker brush in one hand, and holding the dog with the other. And working on the face is just impossible. I had to take a moment to cry. Another problem is when you’ve already straightened the poodle’s hair, and you try to pass the metal comb through to detangle it. When it doesn’t go through easily, (even with dematterrs, and matt breakers) I find it hard to gauge the right amount of force needed to detangle since it’s impossible not to tug, and almost all the poodles end up snapping, sometimes biting, or screaming due to the discomfort or pain. I know they can be very dramatic, but I also know the comb can hurt when it pulls (I would scream too, lol).
Additionally, in this grooming salon, they have a hectic pace and work with a considerable number of dogs, so you have to be fast, efficient, and do it right, without a single knot. Every time a dog screams or snaps, it’s like a jumpscare for me; I reflexively pull my hands away, and my heart races. It’s my third day, and that’s normal, but I feel the pressure to get used to it as soon as possible. I know the key is to stay calm since dogs are extremely sensitive to our emotions, but I can’t seem to do it. Any advice?
Hi Isabele, I am so sorry that you are experiencing such stress while grooming! After reading your comment, I want you to know that what is happening is not your fault in any way - you've got a few key elements that are stacked against your success.
1) Not using grooming loops is very difficult and unsafe. Most dogs understand that when looped on a table, it's grooming time and they behave better. Your salon may be marketing no loops as some kind of optics to look safer or more humane, but the reality is that it makes everything less safe. Just a suggestion, they don't need to loop around the neck, they can use a loop under one armpit across the chest to at least have this very critical grooming tool. I know you may not have any control over this, but I want you to rest assured that you've been given a tougher job than it should be.
2) Dogs typically do not snap at the groomer as much as you're describing, so they are definitely telling you that something is not right. As you progress in grooming, you'll be able to assess which mats can be "crunched" loose with your thinners, which ones can be shaved out without affecting their look, and which ones can be de-matted or brushed out by holding the root of the hair and picking through the mats without the dogs feeling it. I'm hoping that you have a senior groomer or instructor there for guidance, and what I would suggest is next time you are prepping a Poodle and are blow drying it, call your instructor over, show them the matting using the blow dryer, and then ask them for guidance on the best way to tackle each section. (Side note, we're releasing a video tomorrow with a review of a new de-matting tool which you may find helpful - keep an eye out!)
3) Does your salon not provide stand dryers? You should be able to de-mat while drying sections with your hands free. Sure, the hose comes into play for the overall drying process, but I always sit down for de-matting and use my stand dryer, moving it from section to section as I work. This is a pretty standard operating procedure, so I would bring it up to your manager or teacher. If they don't have stand dryers, you can look at a bendable grooming arm with a hose clamp. This is the one I have: amzn.to/3XoDaGa
4) Speed in grooming is something that groomers learn through time. It's like learning to play an instrument - sure, you can find little shortcuts along the way, but nothing replaces the motor memory that you develop after grooming for years. And don't let anyone make you feel bad for not being fast enough! That will come in time. Most of my students have started with 2 dogs per day, and then have worked up to 4 dogs usually by the end of the first year, and then they all have developed differently, with some staying at 4 and others moving to 8-10/day. You should be allowed to move at your own pace and develop your skills without stress.
I hope that helps explain why you may be struggling so much! Fortunately, all of these issues can be fixed rather easily, but you're dealing with what sounds like a rather unique and difficult set up that you may not have any control over. But please stay positive - we need wonderful people like you in this industry! Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing your story! 😊
Excellent video just what I was looking for. About to detangle a Coton I think this is one as well? Thank you Gina
Thank u so much, and glad the video helped! And although I do feature Cotons on the channel often, little Romeo is a white/cream Havanese - but super close! 😊 Thanks so much for your comment! 🐾
Good tricks 👍
Thank you! 😊
Glad i found this video. My yorkie/maltese has some serious matting. I was told by the groomer to comb his hair everyday. But sometimes i dont have time to comb my own hair 😂 he is rubbed constantly creating more tangles. 😢 I definitely need to work on getting those matts out so i can take him to get a haircut and keep it short.
Hi, aw, what a cute mix, your pup must be adorable! But yes, you've got some work on your hands, as you clearly know! If the tangles and matting are too much, your groomer can take him down shorter than you would probably like temporarily (read: shave), but then his hair will grow into a short puppy style that will be easier on all of you to maintain. Good luck; thanks so much for your comment! 😍
Thank you!
🙏🐾🙏
🐩
What brush is the black one?? it’s not listed in the links
Hi there, thanks so much for pointing that out, I will add the link to the video! The brush is called the Miracle Coat, and it's been one of my favorites for a very long time (and it's not expensive!): amzn.to/4ePW3r8. Hope that helps and thanks for your comment! 🙏😊
@ thank you so much!!
I use Chris Christensen slicker brush for Matted dogs, it’s AMAZING! but I’m looking for a good wet brush for when I’m bathing dogs and I’ve coated the dogs with conditioner.
Looks like you bathed this dog prior to dematting or did you just spray with a Detangler prior to a bath? I was under the impression you have to brush out /take care of matts prior to bathing. I have heard of owners not using a slicker brush and then comb through when brushing their pet at home - having matts build up under the top layer, taking their pet to the groomer only to be told it has to be shaved because the matts are so bad. The owners of this dog are blessed to have a groomer (you) who will go through this effort. Do you recommend Detangler spraying the coat prior to brushing a curly coated dog e.g. poodle? Thank you for posting this video.
Hi Susan, thanks for your great comment! Most definitely if a dog has matting to the skin (let's call that level 8-10 on a matting scale of 1-10), then yes, you definitely don't want to get the matting wet and at this point you may have to shave. Romeo, our model, has wispy Havanese coat and his mats were farther from the skin, let's say level 5 matting on maybe 10% of his body, which I actually only saw the extent of the matting while drying him (he's a regular, and is rarely matted). Ideally, you want to brush matting out before the bath with conditioning spray, but I have found that some types of coats (Terriers in particular) do better with dematting while damp + conditioning spray. So it really depends! But I always brush Poodles before the bath unless they are short. And I use conditioning spray (I like THE Stuff and Crowne Royale) for this pre-brushing. But if you can't see down to the skin on parts of the body, and a brush/comb/dematter is pulling too much, then shave it is! Thank you so much for watching and for your wonderful question! 😊🐶
Poor dog sorry 😢
❤
❤🙏❤